SWINDON Town could easily have scored five or six against Scunthorpe United in the eyes of manager Mark Cooper, though the Robins boss was more than happy to settle for a 3-1 victory and all three League One points.

After a frustrating summer for Town’s fans, the County Ground crowd were treated to a footballing masterclass from their players on Saturday as Scunthorpe were blown away by a stylish attacking display.

While defensively the Robins remained suspect and were thankful to the visitors’ profligacy in front of goal and the excellent shot-stopping of Wes Foderingham, Cooper was generally happy with what he saw.

And, reflecting on the game, he said that his side should perhaps have won by a more convincing margin.

“I thought we were really good for the first so many minutes. I thought we came out of the blocks and started really well and it was wave after wave of attacks. We managed to get two goals up, two really good goals,” he said.

“We let Scunthorpe back into it, which has been a little bit of a worry. We’ve got a lot of young players at the back and there was a little bit of naivety. We’ve got lots of work to do defensively, we know that.

“Josh Lelan and Jordan Turnbull are both young lads, they’ve not been together very long as a back three. We half expected that but we hoped we had enough ability and firepower going forward to see that off and we did.”

Two goals from Michael Smith and one from Massimo Luongo put Town in control at half-time, despite Paddy Madden’s strike for Scunny, and in the second period the home team exerted their superiority over their guests in midfield, where Luongo and Yaser Kasim had stellar games.

“It was important (to get the third goal just before half-time) because it took the pressure off us a little bit and we knew Scunthorpe would have to come at us and really attack us and leave a lot of space in the middle of the pitch, which we thoroughly exploited,” said Cooper.

“I thought second half we controlled the game and played really, really well.

“We asked them (at half-time) to defend a little bit better and not get done with one ball over the top, a flick on and a straight run through for the goal. We spoke about that and spoke about keeping the ball for longer periods of time and trying to draw Scunthorpe out.

“We could have had five or six goals easily in the second half.”

Comments (35)

Great football at times yesterday, Luongo, Kasim, Wes, Smith and N Thompson were all absolutely outstanding. Thought turnbull looked good, lelan was v v poor (sorry, but he was - beanco for me every time please) but overall a great start to season. Tighten up that defence coops, we need to be tougher and savvy back there or all this classy football throughout games will be forgotten. COYR

Great football at times yesterday, Luongo, Kasim, Wes, Smith and N Thompson were all absolutely outstanding. Thought turnbull looked good, lelan was v v poor (sorry, but he was - beanco for me every time please) but overall a great start to season. Tighten up that defence coops, we need to be tougher and savvy back there or all this classy football throughout games will be forgotten. COYRclevedonred

Really good start to the season, Kasim was ridiculously good I like how the new system allows him to bomb on and apart from his audacious little chip in the box towards the end of the second half I dont remember him giving the ball away.

Byrne and Smith also looked very dangerous in the wing back positions there movement and pace are going to cause teams a whole lot of problems this year if they stay fit and Smith looks like he has a ping on him.

We are though going to have to work on tightening up at the back, but im sure that will come, as the lads who played as part of the back 3 were only together 2 days, The addition of Stephens alongside Turnbull could be instrumental in our push for the playoffs (hopefully) but a very good start!

Really good start to the season, Kasim was ridiculously good I like how the new system allows him to bomb on and apart from his audacious little chip in the box towards the end of the second half I dont remember him giving the ball away.
Byrne and Smith also looked very dangerous in the wing back positions there movement and pace are going to cause teams a whole lot of problems this year if they stay fit and Smith looks like he has a ping on him.
We are though going to have to work on tightening up at the back, but im sure that will come, as the lads who played as part of the back 3 were only together 2 days, The addition of Stephens alongside Turnbull could be instrumental in our push for the playoffs (hopefully) but a very good start!swindont3

The headline should read.....Cooper: We could have scored five or six and we could have conceded six or seven. Enjoyed the game and at times we looked very good. We sorely need a sold Centre Half. Queue,Stephens...

The headline should read.....Cooper: We could have scored five or six and we could have conceded six or seven. Enjoyed the game and at times we looked very good. We sorely need a sold Centre Half. Queue,Stephens...wiki27

wiki27 wrote:
The headline should read.....Cooper: We could have scored five or six and we could have conceded six or seven. Enjoyed the game and at times we looked very good. We sorely need a sold Centre Half. Queue,Stephens...

Yes, I thought the very same thing, we could easily have been 4 - 2 down before Smith got his second. Nevertheless, an excellent start to the season.

[quote][p][bold]wiki27[/bold] wrote:
The headline should read.....Cooper: We could have scored five or six and we could have conceded six or seven. Enjoyed the game and at times we looked very good. We sorely need a sold Centre Half. Queue,Stephens...[/p][/quote]Yes, I thought the very same thing, we could easily have been 4 - 2 down before Smith got his second. Nevertheless, an excellent start to the season.Penhill54

Was super result,strikers did ok,would be nice to get a real goal poacher(like Paddy Madden) stil feel our youngsters did well,ok defence looked a problem however after few games will be sorted especially if we get JS

Was super result,strikers did ok,would be nice to get a real goal poacher(like Paddy Madden) stil feel our youngsters did well,ok defence looked a problem however after few games will be sorted especially if we get JSport de soller

Agree we could have scored 5 or 6. However with our inexperienced defence there will be teams who put 5 or 6 past us. Overall I enjoyed the game and will take the 3 points handed to us.
COYR!

Agree we could have scored 5 or 6. However with our inexperienced defence there will be teams who put 5 or 6 past us. Overall I enjoyed the game and will take the 3 points handed to us.
COYR!Since 1950

wiki27 wrote:
The headline should read.....Cooper: We could have scored five or six and we could have conceded six or seven. Enjoyed the game and at times we looked very good. We sorely need a sold Centre Half. Queue,Stephens...

Cue Stephens even...but I like the idea of him queuing to get into the CG

[quote][p][bold]wiki27[/bold] wrote:
The headline should read.....Cooper: We could have scored five or six and we could have conceded six or seven. Enjoyed the game and at times we looked very good. We sorely need a sold Centre Half. Queue,Stephens...[/p][/quote]Cue Stephens even...but I like the idea of him queuing to get into the CGClunky

Does anyone know the half time draw numbers , as we couldnt hear the tannoy from the Don Rogers Stand . Also the scoreboard out of action . The lads did well , but may struggle a bit when the pitches get boggy nearer Winter . Still an encouraging performance though .

Does anyone know the half time draw numbers , as we couldnt hear the tannoy from the Don Rogers Stand . Also the scoreboard out of action . The lads did well , but may struggle a bit when the pitches get boggy nearer Winter . Still an encouraging performance though .Simmo66

I really really enjoyed the game against an experienced tough uncompromising niggly side. This is the sort of side that lots said would blow our kids aside. They only lost one in 30 at the end of last season and have added to that side, they are a decent league one team. If this is the football we are in for it will be a very exciting season. Well done lee power, mark cooper and the players!

I really really enjoyed the game against an experienced tough uncompromising niggly side. This is the sort of side that lots said would blow our kids aside. They only lost one in 30 at the end of last season and have added to that side, they are a decent league one team. If this is the football we are in for it will be a very exciting season. Well done lee power, mark cooper and the players!newburymike

port de soller wrote:
Was super result,strikers did ok,would be nice to get a real goal poacher(like Paddy Madden) stil feel our youngsters did well,ok defence looked a problem however after few games will be sorted especially if we get JS

goal poacher???? think we got one already in smith

[quote][p][bold]port de soller[/bold] wrote:
Was super result,strikers did ok,would be nice to get a real goal poacher(like Paddy Madden) stil feel our youngsters did well,ok defence looked a problem however after few games will be sorted especially if we get JS[/p][/quote]goal poacher???? think we got one already in smithoz ashes

Simmo66 wrote:
Does anyone know the half time draw numbers , as we couldnt hear the tannoy from the Don Rogers Stand . Also the scoreboard out of action . The lads did well , but may struggle a bit when the pitches get boggy nearer Winter . Still an encouraging performance though .

No but that did make me laugh yesterday. The announcer apologised to fans in the Don Rogers stand because the tannoy wasn't working and they couldn't hear him(or the apology).

[quote][p][bold]Simmo66[/bold] wrote:
Does anyone know the half time draw numbers , as we couldnt hear the tannoy from the Don Rogers Stand . Also the scoreboard out of action . The lads did well , but may struggle a bit when the pitches get boggy nearer Winter . Still an encouraging performance though .[/p][/quote]No but that did make me laugh yesterday. The announcer apologised to fans in the Don Rogers stand because the tannoy wasn't working and they couldn't hear him(or the apology).South Stand

wiki27 wrote:
The headline should read.....Cooper: We could have scored five or six and we could have conceded six or seven. Enjoyed the game and at times we looked very good. We sorely need a sold Centre Half. Queue,Stephens...

Yes, I thought the very same thing, we could easily have been 4 - 2 down before Smith got his second. Nevertheless, an excellent start to the season.

Spot on chaps! if's buts,maybe's,could have's,should have's just don't cut it Coops! facts are we took are chances, they missed theirs. we won, they lost, so tighten our defence or the next two away games will be a very different story end of!!!!!!!!!

[quote][p][bold]Penhill54[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]wiki27[/bold] wrote:
The headline should read.....Cooper: We could have scored five or six and we could have conceded six or seven. Enjoyed the game and at times we looked very good. We sorely need a sold Centre Half. Queue,Stephens...[/p][/quote]Yes, I thought the very same thing, we could easily have been 4 - 2 down before Smith got his second. Nevertheless, an excellent start to the season.[/p][/quote]Spot on chaps! if's buts,maybe's,could have's,should have's just don't cut it Coops! facts are we took are chances, they missed theirs. we won, they lost, so tighten our defence or the next two away games will be a very different story end of!!!!!!!!!the don69

Yes we led a very charmed life on our goal first half no doubt at all but guys are full of enthusiasm at the back and although we will make mistakes while bedding the new system in patience and trust in the players will be paramount. Stephens will certainly add strength to the back but felt Nathan Thompson and Turnbull were exceptional while the lad Lelan looks short of what is required at this level although he tried his best it seemed. Midfield were absolutely awesome yesterday and possibly the best I have seen in a long while. Loius Thompson just gets better and better every game while Kasim and Loungo were just incredible and completely ran the show second half. To be honest Coops was right second half how many last ditch tackles and shot blocks did Scunny get in. A Blackburn scout sat by us in the Arkells was mighty impressed with our system and stated that Scunthorpe could not cope with our wing backs but was raving about Kasim and Loungo.

Yes we led a very charmed life on our goal first half no doubt at all but guys are full of enthusiasm at the back and although we will make mistakes while bedding the new system in patience and trust in the players will be paramount. Stephens will certainly add strength to the back but felt Nathan Thompson and Turnbull were exceptional while the lad Lelan looks short of what is required at this level although he tried his best it seemed. Midfield were absolutely awesome yesterday and possibly the best I have seen in a long while. Loius Thompson just gets better and better every game while Kasim and Loungo were just incredible and completely ran the show second half. To be honest Coops was right second half how many last ditch tackles and shot blocks did Scunny get in. A Blackburn scout sat by us in the Arkells was mighty impressed with our system and stated that Scunthorpe could not cope with our wing backs but was raving about Kasim and Loungo.Di kanny oh

smirg kcab wrote:
and no ones mentioned the blatant penalty we should have had?
oh i just have

Yes grim agree with that and even on the Scunny site they agreed it was a pen. How are you mate anyway all good I hope.

[quote][p][bold]smirg kcab[/bold] wrote:
and no ones mentioned the blatant penalty we should have had?
oh i just have[/p][/quote]Yes grim agree with that and even on the Scunny site they agreed it was a pen. How are you mate anyway all good I hope.Di kanny oh

Simmo66 wrote:
Does anyone know the half time draw numbers , as we couldnt hear the tannoy from the Don Rogers Stand . Also the scoreboard out of action . The lads did well , but may struggle a bit when the pitches get boggy nearer Winter . Still an encouraging performance though .

No but that did make me laugh yesterday. The announcer apologised to fans in the Don Rogers stand because the tannoy wasn't working and they couldn't hear him(or the apology).

That's classic South S - luv it ..

Bit like the old snooker game commentary ...
' and for those with black and white TV's the pink ball is behind the green

[quote][p][bold]South Stand[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Simmo66[/bold] wrote:
Does anyone know the half time draw numbers , as we couldnt hear the tannoy from the Don Rogers Stand . Also the scoreboard out of action . The lads did well , but may struggle a bit when the pitches get boggy nearer Winter . Still an encouraging performance though .[/p][/quote]No but that did make me laugh yesterday. The announcer apologised to fans in the Don Rogers stand because the tannoy wasn't working and they couldn't hear him(or the apology).[/p][/quote]That's classic South S - luv it ..
Bit like the old snooker game commentary ...
' and for those with black and white TV's the pink ball is behind the greenChish and Fips

Simmo66 wrote:
Does anyone know the half time draw numbers , as we couldnt hear the tannoy from the Don Rogers Stand . Also the scoreboard out of action . The lads did well , but may struggle a bit when the pitches get boggy nearer Winter . Still an encouraging performance though .

Yeah bloody poor show I don't know draw no.s either as you say you couldn't hear the square root of burger all!
Probably can't pay the maintenance bills!!

[quote][p][bold]Simmo66[/bold] wrote:
Does anyone know the half time draw numbers , as we couldnt hear the tannoy from the Don Rogers Stand . Also the scoreboard out of action . The lads did well , but may struggle a bit when the pitches get boggy nearer Winter . Still an encouraging performance though .[/p][/quote]Yeah bloody poor show I don't know draw no.s either as you say you couldn't hear the square root of burger all!
Probably can't pay the maintenance bills!!The Jockster

wiki27 wrote:
The headline should read.....Cooper: We could have scored five or six and we could have conceded six or seven. Enjoyed the game and at times we looked very good. We sorely need a sold Centre Half. Queue,Stephens...

Wiki to be fair to Cooperman he did say in his post match interview that we could have conceded a few goals before we scored the third. But we certainly need that extra defensive cover for sure.

[quote][p][bold]wiki27[/bold] wrote:
The headline should read.....Cooper: We could have scored five or six and we could have conceded six or seven. Enjoyed the game and at times we looked very good. We sorely need a sold Centre Half. Queue,Stephens...[/p][/quote]Wiki to be fair to Cooperman he did say in his post match interview that we could have conceded a few goals before we scored the third. But we certainly need that extra defensive cover for sure.The Jockster

Simmo66 wrote:
Does anyone know the half time draw numbers , as we couldnt hear the tannoy from the Don Rogers Stand . Also the scoreboard out of action . The lads did well , but may struggle a bit when the pitches get boggy nearer Winter . Still an encouraging performance though .

No but that did make me laugh yesterday. The announcer apologised to fans in the Don Rogers stand because the tannoy wasn't working and they couldn't hear him(or the apology).

That's classic South S - luv it ..

Bit like the old snooker game commentary ...
' and for those with black and white TV's the pink ball is behind the green

Classic it is. But how does South Stand know?!

[quote][p][bold]Chish and Fips[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]South Stand[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Simmo66[/bold] wrote:
Does anyone know the half time draw numbers , as we couldnt hear the tannoy from the Don Rogers Stand . Also the scoreboard out of action . The lads did well , but may struggle a bit when the pitches get boggy nearer Winter . Still an encouraging performance though .[/p][/quote]No but that did make me laugh yesterday. The announcer apologised to fans in the Don Rogers stand because the tannoy wasn't working and they couldn't hear him(or the apology).[/p][/quote]That's classic South S - luv it ..
Bit like the old snooker game commentary ...
' and for those with black and white TV's the pink ball is behind the green[/p][/quote]Classic it is. But how does South Stand know?!Oi Den!

Bassett Hound wrote:
I wonder who the striker is that could be joining us,Lee Power said on radio that he was on the bench yesterday for a championship club ?

Simon Cox?

[quote][p][bold]Bassett Hound[/bold] wrote:
I wonder who the striker is that could be joining us,Lee Power said on radio that he was on the bench yesterday for a championship club ?[/p][/quote]Simon Cox?mancrobin

Bassett Hound wrote:
I wonder who the striker is that could be joining us,Lee Power said on radio that he was on the bench yesterday for a championship club ?

Simon Cox?

Simon has gone to Reading.

[quote][p][bold]mancrobin[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Bassett Hound[/bold] wrote:
I wonder who the striker is that could be joining us,Lee Power said on radio that he was on the bench yesterday for a championship club ?[/p][/quote]Simon Cox?[/p][/quote]Simon has gone to Reading.umpcah

Bassett Hound wrote:
I wonder who the striker is that could be joining us,Lee Power said on radio that he was on the bench yesterday for a championship club ?

Simon Cox?

Simon has gone to Reading.

A Championship club on whose bench he sat yesterday.

[quote][p][bold]umpcah[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]mancrobin[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Bassett Hound[/bold] wrote:
I wonder who the striker is that could be joining us,Lee Power said on radio that he was on the bench yesterday for a championship club ?[/p][/quote]Simon Cox?[/p][/quote]Simon has gone to Reading.[/p][/quote]A Championship club on whose bench he sat yesterday.mancrobin

Simmo66 wrote:
Does anyone know the half time draw numbers , as we couldnt hear the tannoy from the Don Rogers Stand . Also the scoreboard out of action . The lads did well , but may struggle a bit when the pitches get boggy nearer Winter . Still an encouraging performance though .

No but that did make me laugh yesterday. The announcer apologised to fans in the Don Rogers stand because the tannoy wasn't working and they couldn't hear him(or the apology).

That's classic South S - luv it ..

Bit like the old snooker game commentary ...
' and for those with black and white TV's the pink ball is behind the green

Classic it is. But how does South Stand know?!

....because I wasn't in the Don Rogers, so I could hear him.

[quote][p][bold]Oi Den![/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Chish and Fips[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]South Stand[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Simmo66[/bold] wrote:
Does anyone know the half time draw numbers , as we couldnt hear the tannoy from the Don Rogers Stand . Also the scoreboard out of action . The lads did well , but may struggle a bit when the pitches get boggy nearer Winter . Still an encouraging performance though .[/p][/quote]No but that did make me laugh yesterday. The announcer apologised to fans in the Don Rogers stand because the tannoy wasn't working and they couldn't hear him(or the apology).[/p][/quote]That's classic South S - luv it ..
Bit like the old snooker game commentary ...
' and for those with black and white TV's the pink ball is behind the green[/p][/quote]Classic it is. But how does South Stand know?![/p][/quote]....because I wasn't in the Don Rogers, so I could hear him.South Stand

Helpme234 wrote:
Palace and Peterborough supposedly after Smith and Coventry already had a bid turned down. Well that's according to two SUnday rags.

Which Smith are you talking about?

[quote][p][bold]Helpme234[/bold] wrote:
Palace and Peterborough supposedly after Smith and Coventry already had a bid turned down. Well that's according to two SUnday rags.[/p][/quote]Which Smith are you talking about?South Stand

Bassett Hound wrote:
I wonder who the striker is that could be joining us,Lee Power said on radio that he was on the bench yesterday for a championship club ?

Simon Cox?

Perhaps Pitman of Bournemouth,he was on the bench yesterday

[quote][p][bold]mancrobin[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Bassett Hound[/bold] wrote:
I wonder who the striker is that could be joining us,Lee Power said on radio that he was on the bench yesterday for a championship club ?[/p][/quote]Simon Cox?[/p][/quote]Perhaps Pitman of Bournemouth,he was on the bench yesterdayBassett Hound

Bassett Hound wrote:
I wonder who the striker is that could be joining us,Lee Power said on radio that he was on the bench yesterday for a championship club ?

Simon Cox?

Perhaps Pitman of Bournemouth,he was on the bench yesterday

Cox signed for Reading for undisclosed 2 year deal.

[quote][p][bold]Bassett Hound[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]mancrobin[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Bassett Hound[/bold] wrote:
I wonder who the striker is that could be joining us,Lee Power said on radio that he was on the bench yesterday for a championship club ?[/p][/quote]Simon Cox?[/p][/quote]Perhaps Pitman of Bournemouth,he was on the bench yesterday[/p][/quote]Cox signed for Reading for undisclosed 2 year deal.Di kanny oh

Bassett Hound wrote:
I wonder who the striker is that could be joining us,Lee Power said on radio that he was on the bench yesterday for a championship club ?

Simon Cox?

Perhaps Pitman of Bournemouth,he was on the bench yesterday

Biggish names sat on the bench all game yesterday were Hugo Rodegella from Fulham, Pitman from Bournemouth and Stead from Huddersfield.

Stead may be the type of hold up man we need, although I would think maybe Pitman the likeliest, and maybe the most local.

There's a few other recognisable names but they came on second half, so presumably not in the frame.

[quote][p][bold]Bassett Hound[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]mancrobin[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Bassett Hound[/bold] wrote:
I wonder who the striker is that could be joining us,Lee Power said on radio that he was on the bench yesterday for a championship club ?[/p][/quote]Simon Cox?[/p][/quote]Perhaps Pitman of Bournemouth,he was on the bench yesterday[/p][/quote]Biggish names sat on the bench all game yesterday were Hugo Rodegella from Fulham, Pitman from Bournemouth and Stead from Huddersfield.
Stead may be the type of hold up man we need, although I would think maybe Pitman the likeliest, and maybe the most local.
There's a few other recognisable names but they came on second half, so presumably not in the frame.Wilesy

Helpme234 wrote:
Palace and Peterborough supposedly after Smith and Coventry already had a bid turned down. Well that's according to two SUnday rags.

Which Smith are you talking about?

Michael

[quote][p][bold]South Stand[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Helpme234[/bold] wrote:
Palace and Peterborough supposedly after Smith and Coventry already had a bid turned down. Well that's according to two SUnday rags.[/p][/quote]Which Smith are you talking about?[/p][/quote]MichaelHelpme234

I know we had a few dodgy moments at the back but give the new boys a chance to blend in?
Going forward we were OUTSTANDING!
Williams coming on in the 2nd half was like us playing with 10 men???? Looks slow, lifeless, unfit, etc,etc.............
.......... so need another Striker or two & we will be set up for a good season!

I know we had a few dodgy moments at the back but give the new boys a chance to blend in?
Going forward we were OUTSTANDING!
Williams coming on in the 2nd half was like us playing with 10 men???? Looks slow, lifeless, unfit, etc,etc.............
.......... so need another Striker or two & we will be set up for a good season!FORZASTFC